AC adaptor

A typical AC adaptor for North American Sega Genesis consoles.

An AC adaptor (ACアダプター) is an adaptor used to power electrical devices. It converts alternating current (AC) from the electricity mains into direct current (DC) which can be used by consumer products in the home.

An adaptor limits voltages (measured in volts, V) and currents (measured in amps, A) in order to protect the internal components of a device. All Sega consoles are compatible with AC adaptors, and most require one to function, however the ratings of said adaptors can vary between console models and countries. Prior to the release of the Sega Saturn in 1994, AC adaptors were built into the plug and were often custom-made for Sega consoles. However, as most use similar connectors, this means precautions must be taken if adaptors are mixed or lost, so as not to damage the console receiving power.

All Sega AC adaptors have their electrical requirements printed somewhere on the unit, and most consoles have similar information printed on them.

Compatibility table

Several of Sega's systems and add-ons share similarly rated power supplies, and thus can be used interchangably. However, many do not, the most infamous being a change between the original Sega Mega Drive and redesigned Sega Mega Drive 2.

Voltage, V	Current, A	Polarity	Compatible systems
9	0.85	Centre-positive	Sega Game Gear Sega Mega Drive 2 Sega 32X Sega Nomad Genesis 3
9	0.85	Centre-negative
9	1	Centre-positive
9	1	Centre-negative	SC-3000 SG-1000 SG-1000 II Sega Mark III Sega Master System Sega Mega Drive
9	1.2	Centre-negative	SC-3000 SG-1000 SG-1000 II Sega Mark III Sega Master System Sega Mega Drive Sega Mega-CD Sega Mega-CD 2
9.5	1.5	Centre-positive	Sega Multi-Mega
10	0.3	Centre-positive	Genesis 3
10	0.5	Centre-negative	Sega Master System II
10	0.85	Centre-positive	Sega Game Gear Sega Mega Drive 2 Sega 32X Sega Nomad Genesis 3
10	1.2	Centre-negative	SC-3000 SG-1000 SG-1000 II Sega Mark III Sega Master System Sega Mega Drive Sega Mega-CD Sega Mega-CD 2

List of official adaptors

9V, 1.1A

For the SC-3000 by John Sands Electronics.

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
	AC Adaptor			AU	≥ 1983	PACK-IN

9V, 0.85A, centre-positive

Code	Name	Region	Date
MK-1636-03	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Video Game	AU	≥ 1990
MK-1636-05	AC Mains Adaptor	UK	≥ 1991
S9850-45	Mega Drive II AC Adaptor	AU	1994

9V, 0.85A, centre-negative

Code	Name	Region	Date	Price	Description
3025-03A	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Power Base	AU	≥ 1987
3084	AC Mains Adaptor	UK	≥ 1991
SA-150	AC Adaptor ACアダプター	JP	1983	¥1500
SA-150	AC Adaptor ACアダプター	JP			Made in Taiwan
SA-150	AC Adaptor ACアダプター	JP			Made in Taiwan; alt
HGG-3200	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Sega Game Gear	JP	≥ 1990

9V, 1A, centre-positive

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
SA-200	AC Adaptor SA-200			JP

9V, 1A, centre-negative

Code	Name	Region
3025	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Power Base	US
3025	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Power Base	US
3025-1	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Power Base	US
3025-03	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Power Base
3025-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Power Base	DE
3025-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Power Base	DE

9V, 1.2A, centre-negative

Code	Name	Region	Date
1602	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Genesis Console	US
1602	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Genesis Console	US
1602-2	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Genesis Console	US
SA-160	AC Adaptor SA-160	JP
SA-160A	AC Adaptor SA-160A	JP	≥ 1988

9.5V, 1.3A, centre-positive

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
MK-4122-05	AC Mains Adaptor			UK	≥ 1994			For use with UK Multi-Mega

9.5V, 1.5A, centre-positive

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
MK-4122	Class 2 Power Supply for Use With Genesis CDX			US	≥ 1994

10V, 0.3A, centre-postive

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
MK-1479	Class 2 Transformer Use With Video Game			US	1998

10V, 0.5A, centre-negative

Code	Name	Box scans	Images	Region	Date	Price	Documentation	Description
3008-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Master System II			DE	≥ 1990

10V, 0.85A, centre-positive

Code	Name	Region	Date
MK-1636-03	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Video Game	AU	≥ 1990
MK-1636-05	AC Mains Adaptor	UK	≥ 1991
MK-1636-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Video Game	DE	≥ 1991
MK-1636-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Video Game	PT	≥ 1991
MK-1636-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Video Game	DE	≥ 1993
MK-2103	Class 2 Power Supply For Use With Video Game	US	≥ 1991
MK-2103	Class 2 Power Supply For Use With Video Game	US	≥ 1991
MK-2103	Class 2 Power Supply For Use With Video Game	US	≥ 1991
MK-2103	Class 2 Power Supply For Use With Video Game	US	≥ 1991
MK-2103	Class 2 Power Supply For Use With Video Game	US	1993
MK-2103-1	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Game Gear	US	≥ 1991
MK-2103-22	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Game Gear	CA	≥ 1991
SA-190	AC Adaptor SA-190	JP	≥ 1992
SA-190A	AC Adaptor SA-190A	JP	≥ 1991

10V, 1.2A, centre-negative

Code	Name	Region	Date
1602-1	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Genesis Console	US	≥ 1989
1602-3	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Genesis Console	US	≥ 1989
1602-03	Plug-In Power Supply For Use With Genesis Console	AU	≥ 1989
1602-05	AC Mains Adaptor	UK	≥ 1990
1602-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Mega Drive	DE	≥ 1990
1602-18	AC Adaptor For Use With Mega Drive	DE	≥ 1990